Right now, I’m on Medical Assistance (MA). I’m grateful for the coverage, but I struggle to access the dental care that I need. Despite the fact that dental health is critical to our overall health, dental health care isn’t covered by MA the same way as general health care. MA covers the very basics, and at only a handful of clinics. That means I have to wait weeks to months to get an appointment.
Cleanings, extractions, x-rays, dentures and check-ups are covered—but nothing else. Imagine the stress of needing oral health care and not being able to afford it.
Because of the lack of coverage, my teeth are rotten. I need dentures, but unfortunately, I can’t get them. The dentists I have visited who accept Medicaid and provide dentures have shamed me for having bad teeth at such a young age. Instead, I’ve been told I should “fix” my rotten teeth. Of course, that would require work not covered by MA, so I would be billed obscene amounts of money.
The clinics are also often not up-to-date, with ancient equipment that makes me feel unsafe and at-risk.
I feel completely neglected by care providers and I also feel as if the State of Minnesota—generally—does not care about my needs, given that this has been allowed to go on for so long.
It’s obvious I’ve had some horrendous experiences just trying to get the care that I need. The result? No dentures. Constant pain. Shame and fear.
Dentists have also refused care, even the ones who do accept MA, because they don’t get enough money back from the State of Minnesota. That’s not how the system should work, but it’s a reality people in our state have faced.
I feel completely neglected by care providers and I also feel as if the State of Minnesota—generally—does not care about my needs, given that this has been allowed to go on for so long.
I’m glad that Gov. Walz is working to increase access to dental care. There’s no reason Minnesotans like me should experience chronic pain due to lack of dental care. I want relief. I want to be able to eat without it hurting. And I want to get the care that I deserve.
We all have a health care story, because health care is a basic, fundamental need. This is part of a weekly series during Minnesota’s legislative session where we share the health care stories of Minnesotans like you. Share your story here.
